Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 34-year-old man Monday in connection to allegations that he sexually assaulted a now-12-year-old girl multiple times over a three-year period.

Walter Earl Howell Jr. is still being held in the Polk County Jail on felony aggravated sexual assault of a child charge. His bail amount has been set at $100,000.

According to the arrest affidavit, the initial outcry was made to Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigators on Oct. 4. The girl told authorities that Howell had sexually molested her numerous times over a three-year period, with the last time being on Sept. 26, the affidavit stated.

Two days before the outcry was made, Howell allegedly told the 12-year-old girl’s mother that he had been having sex with her daughter.

The girl went to Childrenz Haven for a forensic interview on Oct. 7. During the interview, the alleged victim said that Howell had sexually assaulted her and that the last time had been on Sept. 26.

A SANE exam was performed at a Livingston hospital, and the test revealed that the girl had injuries that were consistent with sexual assault.

Deputies with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office served a felony arrest warrant on a man after he allegedly tried to sneak a small plastic baggie containing marijuana in to the county jail Wednesday.

Deputies with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office served a felony arrest warrant on a man after he allegedly tried to sneak a small plastic baggie containing marijuana in to the county jail Wednesday.